TAB Batteries

The battery installed in the car largely determines its overall degree of reliability. Therefore, in order to avoid troubles on the road, it is necessary to use only high-quality batteries, for example, those produced by the industrial group TAB.

Manufacturer TAB

TAB (from Slovenian Tovarna akumulatorskih baterij) is an association of five battery factories located in two countries: Macedonia and Slovenia, founded in 1965. Official website of the company - https://www.tab.si.

Initially, the company was engaged in the production of batteries under the license of a Swedish company. Tudor, and subsequently completely switched to its technology and began to produce a wide range of high-quality batteries.

The quality of the products is confirmed by the fact that about 80% of the batteries are exported to many countries of the world, including the EU, CIS and others.

Where are TAB batteries used?

All plants in the past few years have been seriously modernized and produce high-tech products that meet the most advanced standards. Thanks to this, many well-known automobile manufacturers use TAB products in their vehicles. The most famous of them are Airbus, Caterpillar, Toyota, BMW AG, Daimler, Liebherr, ZF, Volvo, Fiorentini, Daewoo, Massey Ferguson, Ingresoll Rand and others.

Manufacturer TAB produces all types of lead-acid batteries, including:

• starter;
• traction;
• stationary;
• batteries for motor vehicles and motoblocks;
• stationary batteries of solar power plants;
• special military.

Applied technologies and their features

The following technologies are used in the TAB battery:

• In the manufacture of electrodes, alloy technology is used. Ca / Ca with the additional application of a special proprietary active mass, including nanocomponents, which makes it possible to avoid electrolyte boiling off, increase the cold scroll current and makes the battery more resistant to self-discharge;
• in the manufacture of battery plates use a special mode of drying and forming;
• grating plates are manufactured using expanded metal technology, which minimizes the variation in size and physico-chemical parameters, and also significantly improves their corrosion protection and strength;
• the space between the plates is divided by envelope-type polyethylene separators, which protect the electrodes from short circuits;
• Battery cases are molded from high-strength polypropylene and are equipped with a handle.

Thanks to the innovations used, TAB batteries have 20-30 percent higher inrush currents, longer service life than conventional similar power supplies. They consume very little water during operation, due to which they either do not require maintenance at all or are low-maintenance. This is especially important in harsh conditions at low temperatures.

Technical specifications

TAB products have a very wide range of products, and almost all batteries are maintenance-free (this is indicated by SMF, Maintenance free, Sealed - closed / sealed).

TAB batteries of some series have varieties that meet both European standards for the location of electrodes and polarity that complies with Japanese JIS standards, which allows them to be used on cars made in Japan, South Korea and China.

Such varieties can be determined by the presence of the letter J immediately after the number denoting the capacity on the short battery code printed on the case.

For example, the marking S60J means that it is a battery of the Polar S series at 60 Ah * with the Japanese electrode arrangement “1” (plus on the left).

Consider the most common TAB battery models on the market.

TAB Polar

This range of batteries has a well-deserved good reputation among motorists due to its versatility and the optimal ratio of power, capacity, cold start current, price and reliability. The batteries in this series do not have variations for the Japanese terminal standard.

The main purpose of this line is cars of small and middle classes with low power consumption.

Polar batteries can be distinguished by a short code printed on the case, which must begin with the English letter P, for example P45 stands for the Polar series battery for 45 ah.

They have an operating voltage of 12 volts, inrush current depending on sizes from 400 to 1000 A / h, capacity from 45 to 110 A * h, weight from 10.2 to 25.3 kg, standard B13 mount and terminal polarity of standard “0 ", In which the plus is on the right.

Polar batteries are available in sizes from 175x175x190 mm to 394x175x190 mm.

TAB Polar S

The TAB Polar S series has the largest product range. Both the serviced batteries of this series and low-maintenance modifications are available. The code for this series starts with the letter S, for example, a battery with the code S44 means that it is a Polar S battery with 44 Ah.

Some of these products have standard “1” terminals, in which the plus is on the left with polarity. In addition, Polar S modifications are available with a positive electrode on the right (standard “0”).

Polar S models have Japanese standardized housing sizes from 196x127x205 mm to 330x173x218 mm, an electromotive force of 12 volts, provide a current of 300 to 1000 A / h, a capacity of 35 to 110 A * h, weight from 9.4 to 25.4 kg, Mounting of five different standards (B0, B01, B1, B9 and B13).

TAB Polar Blue

These are low-maintenance batteries that have high inrush currents. All Blue batteries have an electronic-optical indicator of the battery charge, the color of which makes it possible at any time to assess the degree of battery charge.

Polar Blue models have an electromotive force of 12 volts, current from 560 to 920 A / h, capacity from 60 to 100 Ah, weight from 13.2 to 22.2 kg, B13 mount and dimensions from 207x175x190 mm to 353x175x190 mm.

The short code printed on the Blue battery case begins with the English letter B, for example, the B60H indicates a 60 Ah battery for the Polar Blue series battery with a plug for measuring the density and topping up of electrolyte.

TAB Magic

This type of battery has better characteristics than Polar, thanks to a more sealed cover design, an increased number of plates, which gives an increase in the cold scroll current up to 30%. They have the letter M at the beginning of the short code on the case. This series is intended for use in vehicles with medium and high levels of energy consumption.

The range of Magic batteries does not have modifications that comply with the Japanese standard. All Magic Series batteries are maintenance free, with improved leakage and fire protection, and a Magic Eye status indicator.

Magic models have an electromotive force of 12 volts, current from 510 to 920 A / h, capacity from 54 to 100 A * h, weight from 12.3 to 22.2 kg, B13 mount and sizes from 207x175x175 mm to 353x175x190 mm.

TAB EFB Stop & Go

These are special reinforced batteries for micro hybrid vehicles with the entry-level Start / Stop function. This modification has only maintenance-free models with improved protection against transfusion, overturn, fire and explosions, and is also equipped with Magic Eye status indicators.

In batteries of this type, in addition to the innovative technologies used in the TAB battery of other series, special know-how is used:

• protection of positive plates with MFW-fleece, which doubles the number of duty cycles and allows you to maintain battery life even with a strong discharge;
• advanced charging mechanism using a special carbon expander, which allows you to accelerate the recovery of energy during riding.

Marking modifications TAB EFB Stop & Go begins with the letters SG, they do not have Japanese connectors.

Models Efb they have a voltage of 12 volts, current from 580 to 850 A / h, capacity from 60 to 90 A * h, weight from 16.8 to 23.8 kg, standard B13 mount and sizes from 242x175x190 mm to 353x175x190 mm.

TAB AGM Stop & Go

These are maintenance-free valve-regulated batteries of premium class with improved reliability parameters, extended shelf life and operation and survivability, designed for cars with the Start / Stop function. AGM batteries have the following features compared to other TAB batteries:

• battery cells are closed by an emergency valve to relieve pressure;
• the electrolyte in the batteries is in a bound state in special fiberglass mats, which prevents its leakage even when the case is broken;
• the battery plates inside the battery are under pressure.

The use of these technologies allows three times to increase the number of duty cycles, increase starting power by 30%, and significantly increase the operating life compared to batteries with liquid electrolyte, which stratifies over time. In addition, the use of absorbed electrolyte improves the safety of battery operation, increases its resistance to vibration.

The marking of such power supplies begins with the letters AG, they do not have Japanese modifications.

Models Agm have a voltage of 12 volts, starting current from 680 to 850 A / h, capacity from 60 to 95 A * h, weight from 17.9 to 26 kg, standard B13 mount and sizes from 242x175x190 mm to 353x175x190 mm.

TAB Polar Truck

This series of low-maintenance batteries is designed for commercial freight vehicles, which are used in very difficult operating conditions, including in severe frosts. They use hybrid lead-antimony alloy electrodes (Ca / Sb), which gives increased resistance to deep discharges and water losses.

The marking of these batteries begins with the letters TR.

Polar Truck models have a voltage of 12 volts, inrush current from 800 to 900 A / h, capacity from 110 to 225 A * h, weight from 25.3 to 57.2 kg, standard mount B0, B1 and B3 and sizes from 345x173x212 mm up to 518x273x214 mm.

TAB Magic Truck

This series of maintenance-free batteries, improved over the Polar Truck, is also intended for commercial vehicles. The marking of these batteries begins with the letters TM.

Magic Truck models are equipped with an optical status indicator, have a voltage of 12 volts, inrush current from 850 to 1300 A / h, capacity from 135 to 225 A * h, weight from 34.3 to 57.2 kg, mount standard B0 and B3 and dimensions from 509x175x196 mm to 513x275x220 mm.

How to charge TAB batteries

Most TAB batteries are maintenance free that do not require the owner to control electrolyte levels. Low-maintenance batteries of this company require periodic monitoring of the electrolyte level and topping up with distilled water to the required level, for which you need to remove the cover and add distilled water to the required level.

It is better to charge automobile batteries with current up to 1/10 of their capacity. For example, a battery with a capacity of 110 A / h is charged with a current of not more than 11 amperes. For better battery charging, it is better to use charge currents of up to 2 amperes until the battery is fully charged.

The charging duration is selected in accordance with this formula: the battery capacity is divided by the charge current and multiplied by 1.2. For example, a 45 Ah battery with a charging current of 2 amperes needs to be charged 45/2 * 1.2 = 27 hours. When charging, do not allow an excess of voltage of 14.4 volts.

Modern high-quality chargers have functions that allow you to select the charge current and automatically charge the battery. When charging serviced TAB batteries, it is better to open the cover for venting gases and check the electrolyte level. If necessary, add distilled water to them.

How to find out the release date and decrypt the code

The release date for TAB batteries can be found in the 14-digit code located on the top cover of the case.

The third and fourth figures allow you to determine the year of manufacture, and the fifth and sixth - the week of release.

For example, marking F1117010941864 on the battery indicates that it was produced in January 2017.

Did you have or have a battery Tab? Then tell us in the comments about your impressions about him, this will greatly help other motorists and will make the material more complete and accurate.

Reviews

Andrey, 29
I use TAB Polar Blue at 60 Ah - a good battery that never failed me even in winter after a month of inactivity.

Alexander, 52
I have been using the TAB Polar S battery on my Toyota Yaris for three years. For all the time there was not a single failure, even at subzero temperatures.

Sergey, 31
I changed the old battery to TAB Magic, now the engine starts from a half turn, pulls the constant operation of a powerful audio system. I recommend!